Castle Pines, Colorado

History

The City of Castle Pines North was approved by popular vote on November 6, 2007, and officially incorporated with the first election of municipal officers on February 12, 2008. At the time of incorporation, Castle Pines was Douglas County's first new city since 1995, and Colorado's 271st municipality. The city's stated vision is to "Enhance our community's unique character by ensuring excellent infrastructure, safe neighborhoods, maximum citizen participation and conscientious development that balances open space, residential and commercial uses."

The city incorporated as a statutory city under Colorado law and follows the Mayor-Council government system.

The City of Castle Pines North approved by popular vote on November 2, 2010, and was officially renamed to The City of Castle Pines.

Geography

Castle Pines is located at 39°28′18″N 104°53′41″W (39.471742, -104.894827) at an elevation of 6,368 feet (1,941 m). Located on Interstate 25 in central Colorado, Castle Pines is 20 mi (32 km) south of downtown Denver and 43 mi (69 km) north of Colorado Springs.

The city lies in the Colorado Piedmont on the western edge of the Great Plains. Happy Canyon Creek runs north-northeast through the western part of the city, and Newlin Gulch and its tributary, South Newlin Gulch, run north-northeast and north, respectively, through the eastern part of the city. All three streams are part of the Cherry Creek watershed.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Castle Pines has a total area of 9.01 square miles (23.3 km²), all of it land.

Lying within the Front Range Urban Corridor, the city is part of the greater Denver metropolitan area, and it borders two communities to its south: Castle Pines Village and Castle Rock, the county seat.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, there were 10,360 people, 3,493 households, and 2,928 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,149.8 people per square mile (444.6/km²). There were 3,637 housing units at an average density of 403.7 per square mile (156.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.6% White, 2.6% Asian, 1.1% African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race were 5.5% of the population.

There were 3,493 households out of which 50.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.3% were married couples living together, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97, and the average family size was 3.27.

In the city, the population was spread out with 33.6% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

Castle Pines is one of the most affluent cities in the United States. The median income for a household in the city was $137,019, and the median income for a family was $147,473. Males had a median income of $118,235 versus $71,399 for females. The per capita income for the city was $49,702. About 0.9% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 0.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

As of 2011, 69.5% of the population over the age of 16 was in the labor force. 0.2% was in the armed forces, and 69.4% was in the civilian labor force with 66.8% employed and 2.6% unemployed. The occupational composition of the employed civilian labor force was: 58.3% in management, business, science, and arts; 28.7% in sales and office occupations; 7.6% in service occupations; 4.6% in production, transportation, and material moving; 0.8% in natural resources, construction, and maintenance. The three industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were: educational services, health care, and social assistance (17.1%); professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services (16.7%); and finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing (14.5%).

The median home value in the city was $457,500, the median selected monthly owner cost was $2,654 for housing units with a mortgage and $731 for those without, and the median gross rent was $1,294.

Government

The City of Castle Pines is a statutory city and follows the Mayor-Council government system. The City receives the majority of its revenue through sales and use tax collections. The City receives a portion of the revenue collected through property taxes, but these dollars are dedicated to fund law enforcement.

The City of Castle Pines belongs to Colorado House District 45 and Colorado Senate District 4.

Vision Statement: Enhance our unique character by ensuring excellent infrastructure, safe neighborhoods, a strong sense of community, and conscientious development that balances open space, residential and commercial uses.

City Council Goals:

City Council

Council members make policy decisions on a variety of city issues, such as approving the annual city budget. They are given the authority to approve resolutions, and enact and provide for the enforcement of ordinances, which are city laws. They also appoint the City Manager, who serves the Council and citizens and is responsible for city staff and day-to-day management.

Castle Pines is governed by a Mayor and six City Council members. The City is divided into three “Wards” of approximately 3,500 residents. Each Ward is represented by two City Council members with staggered four-year terms. The City Council elects, by majority vote, a Mayor Pro Tem who is expected to perform responsibilities of the Mayor when he or she is absent or unable to perform their duties.

The City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month and may schedule additional special meetings as needed. The Mayor presides over the meeting using an agenda. All meetings are open to the public and subject to Colorado Open Meeting Laws.

The residents of the City of Castle Pines North elected their first city officials on February 12, 2008.

Parks & Recreation

Castle Pines is home to 5 parks and 14 miles of trails that are 8-feet wide and paved to accommodate a variety of recreational activities. Walking, running and bicycling is permitted on trails, however horseback riding and the use of motorized vehicles is prohibited. The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District maintains most trails in Castle Pines.

Castle Pines parks and natural areas include:

Schools

Students residing in Castle Pines are within the Douglas County School District RE1.

Primary Schools:

Elementary Schools:

Middle Schools:

Transportation

Castle Pines is located adjacent to Interstate 25. The city is served by Denver International Airport and nearby Centennial Airport.